MIT’s Family Tree: The Economics Branch

As Businessweek notes, seven current or former central bank chiefs—from the U.S., Europe, India, Israel, Chile, and Cyprus—are alumni of or have taught at MIT's Department of Economics. The graph, shown below, digs deeper and showcases the depth of the department's influence in the global financial landscape, past and present. (Click on the graph for a larger version.)

From contemporary newsmakers like Ben Bernanke PhD '79 to foreign policy makers like Mervyn King, an MIT visiting professor in 1983-1984 and current governor of the Bank of England, the Department of Economic's fingerprints can be found in financial situations on nearly every continent.

If you've ever wanted to connect former faculty member and 1985 Nobel Prize winner Franco Modigliani with 2008 Nobel winner Paul Krugman PhD '77–in four easy steps–this is the graph for you. Plus, take the quiz listed at the bottom and see if you can identify anyone listed in the graph in their younger days.

In your opinion, is there anyone that Businessweek left out? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.